Drug Classification Assignment Drug: Phenytek- Phenytoin Sodium Classification: Anticonvulsants Purpose of Drug: It is used to control, treat or prevent

grand mal and complex partial seizures occurring during or after neurological surgery. It is also used to treat certain types of irregular heartbeats- arrhythmias. How often it is taken: It should be individualized for optimal benefit. Most adults will take one 100mg capsule 3-4 times daily. If this is the first time on the medication, it must be taken steadily for at least 1 week before being adjusted. In some case an increase to one 200mg capsule 3 times daily may be made as needed. If the client is in an institutionalized setting, there is a 300mg dosage to help with administering the drug but it is important that the drug is not missed. Special instructions of administration: The capsule should be swallowed whole, do not crush, break or open. If taking an oral liquid suspension, it must be shaken well before measuring with a dose measuring spoon or medicine cup, do not use a regular spoon. It is important for the user to continue to take the medication even if the symptoms have decreased or they feel better as the seizures may increase if the medication is stopped. Frequent blood testing is needed when taking Phenytek to check if the medication is helping the condition. Wear a medic alert tag to show that user is taking Phenytek If the dose is missed, take it as soon as it is remembered. If it is close to the time for the next dosage, then ignore the missed dosage do not double up Overdose can be fatal, if this occurs seek emergency medical assistance Do not consume alcohol when taking this medication without first speaking with your doctor

Regular oral care including massaging of gums to minimize swelling of gums

Possible side effects: Slurred speech, decreased coordination, mental confusion Rare reports of dyskinesias including chorea, dystonia, tremors Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea Fever and measles like rashes Thrombocytopenia- low count of blood platelets, Leukopeniadecrease white blood cells count, Granulocytopenia- low count of granulocyctes which are a type of white blood cells that help to digest pathogens Coarsening of the facial features, lips enlargen and thickening of the gingival Reported Adverse reaction: Rash, Unresponsive To Stimuli, Hypotension, Cerebral Haemorrhage, Electromechanical Dissociation, Haemodialysis, Grand MAL Convulsion, Nephritis Interstitial, Subarachnoid Haemorrhage, Ventricular Tachycardia, Hypoxia, Ventricular Fibrillation, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome which is cell death causing the dermis to separate from the epidermis- resulted in death Common drug interaction:

This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: azapropazone, darunavir, delavirdine, dofetilide, etravirine, nisoldipine. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: colesevelam, molindone, pyridoxine (vitamin B6), sucralfate, sulfa drugs, telithromycin, drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove phenytoin from your body (such as amiodarone, azole antifungals including itraconazole, cimetidine, ciprofloxacin, macrolide antibiotics including erythromycin, estrogens, isoniazid, rifamycins including rifabutin, St. John's wort, other anti-seizure medicines including carbamazepine/phenobarbital/valproic acid). Phenytoin can speed up the removal of many other drugs from your body by affecting certain liver enzymes. This can affect how well these other drugs work. These other drugs include: some drugs to treat cancer (e.g., imatinib, irinotecan), corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), cyclosporine, felodipine, quetiapine, quinidine, theophylline, vitamin D, warfarin.

Also report the use of drugs which might increase seizure risk (decrease seizure threshold) such as: phenothiazines (e.g., thioridazine) or tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline), among others. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details. Phenytoin may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills, patches, implants or injections. This can result in pregnancy. You may need to use an additional form of reliable birth control while using this medication. Alcohol May decrease to subtherapeutic levels when the suspension is given concomitantly with enteral feedings.

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